November 21st, 2012:

MALACCA: The state government will build a heritage city commercial complex called Porto Historia at a cost of RM92mil in Kota Laksamana, here, to further spur economic growth, especially in Central Malacca.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the real estate development project on a 1.9ha site facing Malacca River, would comprise a three-storey commercial building with 55 shoplots.

He said the building of Porto Historia was the result of a smart partnership between the state government’s subsidiary company, Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam Finance House Berhad, and First Avenue Partners (Asia) Sdn Bhd. It is expected to be completed by November 2013.

“All the shoplots to be built are sold out, showing high demand for real estate ownership in this state, which will further improve the economy,” he said after the ground-breaking ceremony for the project, Tuesday.

He said the commercial complex to be built based on Malacca’s architectural heritage would also be a tourist spot, besides creating more than 200 job opportunities, especially for members of Koperasi Bela Masyarakat Melaka Berhad (Kobemas).

Mohd Ali said any developer that wished to put up a building or develop a real estate project must preserve Malacca’s architectural heritage in line with Malacca as a Unesco-recognised world heritage city.

He said the state government would assist in preparing the drawing plans in meeting the design requirement based on Malacca’s architectural heritage. – Bernama